The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-01-27
HELPING THE HOUSEWIFE
HOW ARCHITECTS SHOULD PLAN
THE PEOPLES HOMES.

Dark Rooms and Passages to be Avoided.
holdings to be Made that Will Not
Catch Dust-Proper Place for a Bath
room-Plans and Elevation.
Especial Correspondence
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. est is part of the
business of an architect to do what he can to
make housekeeping easier He can do eat
deal. He should understand the principles
and practice Of good housekeeping. This
knowledge is something which cannot be de-
rived from the architectural schools or offices;
it must como from home This part of his
apprenticeship must be served outside Of his
technical tutorship. The public press of the
| country has had great deal to say about
the artistic qualities Of domestic architecture
has had a great deal to say about house fur
nishing, and altogether has furnished much
valuable matter in regard to all OF these
things As far as know nothing has been
said as TO tho relation Of architecture to good
housekeeping, Tho artistic element il not to
be neglected in any sense. There must be
added to what has already been considered
the element Of convenience of arrangement,
economy Of maintenance and ease in the
general housekeeping movements.
| Washing dishes Is disagresnble work, but
bhe architect can do has part by making it
easier. II we take a eonglomerate mass of
china, knives, forks and spoons, pots, pans
and kettles and bring them together on one
small kitchen table which has dish pan on
one end and wooden water bucket ab the
back, with . scarcity OF everything to facli-
tate the progress OF the work, We have 4 con-
! dition quito different from that whersiH there
is a roomy sink with table on each side Of
Il and plenty OF hot and cold water above it,
An architect may plan kitchen so that all
| Of these conveniences arc possible. He may
plan it SO that they are impossible
Easy stairs to cellar and attic, as well as
from the first to the second floor, are a life
long comfort. The cellar stairway in many
houses is constructed with an after disregard
Of ease comfort or uso. Instead of being a
| life long comfort they are short lived dis
comfort. 1t has been said that the cellar
stairway is mostly used by the servant and
that she does not often stay in one place long
enough to be permanently injured by bad
stairway or benefited by good one. 1t
should be remembered, however, that there
are many houses built each year in which a
servant is not employed.
have in mind house that was designed
bv an architect who was noted for his beauti-
full exteriors He has since become equally
noted for his clumsy, inconvenient interiors.
He was utterly careless as to his kitchens, had
no regard for tho cellar or attic stairway In
tn, case to which refer there were no means
of getting any Of thefurniture or fittings into
the laundry without tearing out brick wall,
or of getting trunks into the attic, excepting
through the front gable windows. Still it
was beautiful house. There were certain
nconvenences connected with living in it.
There was a large, open hall which extended
from the first floor well up into the roof 1t
was beautiful and picturesque, but it never
could be admired in winter. 1t was always
! cold